State Trooper Arrests Three Suspects After Fleeing Traffic Stop

Tuesday, September 25, 2012 | 11:50am

NASHVILLE --- Three Chattanooga men were arrested by Tennessee State Trooper Steven Bourque after fleeing a traffic stop on Tuesday morning in Hamilton County.

Trooper Bourque stopped a 1995 Crown Victoria on a suspected altered license plate on Main and Fort Street at approximately 10:32 a.m. As he exited the patrol unit, the driver and two passengers sped off onto Fort Street. Trooper Bourque pursued the vehicle as they made a right onto West 14th Street and observed the suspects toss what appeared to be a handgun out of the window.

The suspect vehicle continued through the city, traveling through stop signs and at one point veering into oncoming traffic before stopping on West 12th Street. Trooper Bourque held the suspects until additional units arrived on scene. The suspects were then detained and two were found to have active warrants out of Hamilton County for theft over $500 and aggravated burglary. The Chattanooga Police Department assisted at the scene.

Trooper Bourque also returned to the 1300 block of Fort Street where he recovered a loaded High Point .40 caliber semi-automatic gun.

Driver Lawarren Smith, Jr., 19 and Darrell Bridges, Jr., 21, who were both wanted out of Hamilton County, and D Marcus Hall, 23, were all charged with felony possession of a weapon with intent to go armed. Smith will also face charges for felony evading arrest, felony possession of an altered license plate, driving on a suspended license, reckless driving, improper passing, violation of traffic control device, driving an unregistered vehicle and no insurance.

They were booked into the Hamilton County Jail.

Photos of the suspects can be obtained from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.